Moscow State University Academic Choir
Dirigent: Mirza-Aga Askerov

The Moscow State University Academic Choir was organized at the end of XVIII century, soon after the University was set up in 1755. The exact date of founding the choir is unknown as during the first years of its existence the Choir gave performances rather rarely and there is no reliable information about that period. Before the beginning of the XXth century it was a men's choir as women were not allowed to study at the University; then the Choir became mixed. It is true to the fact that the amateur choral singing of the Moscow University students accompanied solemn ceremonies that were arranged at the University annually in June or July and were devoted to the end of academic year; the Choir also sang at celebrations connected with various anniversaries (crowning the tzars, their name-days, etc.). P.I.Strakhov, a student and subsequently a University Professor, wrote in the memoirs: "During annual celebrations devoted to the end of the academic year one of the professors went up to the rostrum and made a speech in Latin, then the Chorus accompanied by the orchestra sang the first part of the verse specially written for this ceremony; then another professor made a speech in Russian and the next part of the verse was sung, the ceremony was concluded by the third part of the verse."
From 1979 to 1984 the Choir was conducted by Honored Artist of Russia B.V.Baranov, a follower of S.V.Popov. From 1984 to 1997 the Choir was supervised by Honored Artist of Russia Yuri Ukhov, a follower of famous Russian chorus master and conductor A.V.Yurlov. The following chorus masters have worked with the Choir these years: C.R.Rumina, V.N.Kostylyova, S.I.Kirpichnikov, I.A.Zhuravlenko. Now the Choir is conducted by Mirza Askerov Ph.D. of pedagogy who earlier taught choral conducting at the Moscow Institute of Culture; he goes along the road of his predecessors.
The Choir gives concerts in Russia and abroad. The records of the Choir performances are broadcast over the radio and TV.
The participants of the Moscow University Choir carefully preserve their centuries-old  traditions, including the farewell ritual concert for the Choir staff-graduates of university at the monument to Lomonossov. For many years running on June 6, on A.S.Pushkin's birthday, at the monument to the great Russian poet the Choir sings songs on his verses. The Choir participates in many activities of the Moscow University: students' initiation, farewell to the graduates, celebrating St.Tatiana's Day - the Day of Students.